𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐑 |

chapter four

Vera

The blaring alarm on my nightstand shook me awake and I sat up with a low groan. I clicked it off then slipped out of bed, going to Aiden's room and flicking on the lamp beside his bed. He whined quietly and turned away, bringing the blanket over his face.

"Come on, you know the drill," I yawned, sitting beside him and gently shaking him.

"It's morning already?" He croaked, rubbing his eyes.

"It is. Come on, I'll make you those mickey mouse shaped pancakes you like so much."

Aiden eventually slid out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom. While he got ready, I made my way to the kitchen and made some of my homemade pancake batter, tossing a bit of chocolate chips inside. The mickey mouse pancake maker heated up, so I sprayed some spray-on butter onto it before pouring the batter into it and shutting it closed.

I took a moment to look around while that cooked, sighing. The house didn't even stay clean for more than a week before it was flipped upside down again. My gray hair is bound to come in sooner than I planned for it to.

Grabbing one of his favorite plates, I placed the freshly made pancake onto it then repeated the process. His pancakes were made, but he still hadn't made his way downstairs yet, so I whipped up a quick breakfast for myself which included: sausage, egg, and cheese stuffed inside a freshly toasted bagel.

Drool worthy.

Taking a bite out of it made a satisfied groan rumble in my throat as I chewed, closing my eyes for a short moment. I heard quick footsteps coming down the stairs and I smiled to myself placing his plate and the syrup on the table.

"Bon appétit." I handed him a fork and a butterknife, watching his hands closely as he cut off Mickey mouse's ears first before digging in.

I finished up my bagel and quickly made another one while a pot of coffee was preparing. Our mornings have gotten more and more productive as the days went on and I was really proud of him. He was so used to sleeping in on school days or not going at all, so I had to get him used to waking up on time and making sure he ate before he left. Clearly, he's caught on pretty quickly.

After rinsing out my cup, I poured the coffee inside followed by french vanilla creamer and two spoons of sugar. I shook it up a bit then took a sip, humming and licking my lips. Aiden had finished his breakfast and cleaned up his mess with a wet rag. I fixed up his hair then his shirt, smiling when he looked up at me with a toothy smile.

"Where's your backpack?" I asked, saving his dishes into the sink.

"Oh! I left it in my room, I'll go get it."

He ran back upstairs and I shook my head, jogging to my room to grab my car keys. Aiden and I left our rooms at the same time sharing a smile as we made our way back down. I held the front door open, allowing him to brush past me to walk out. I locked the door behind me then unlocked the car doors, hopping in the driver's seat.

I helped him up into the passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt, making sure it was secure. Starting the engine, I adjusted the rearview mirror then pulled out of the driveway, satisfied that we're making good time. At this rate, I can get him to school on time and make it back to pick up in the house; maybe even squeeze in some grocery shopping.

There's not a clue in my mind that could remind me what we needed in the house, and I honestly don't feel like making a list when I get back. Going off on a whim sounds funner anyways.

Making dinner tonight also sounds like a plan, but ordering food also sounds great. Maybe a McDonald's type of night. Or a pizza night. Who knows? I'll figure it out later.